Why do bees love cannabis?

The study found that not only do bees love hemp pollen, but hemp may also help save their dying population.

Humans aren’t the only ones who gravitate towards the cannabis plant. It turns out that bees also love the effects of cannabis, but for a slightly different reason. A new study by researchers at Cornell University, published in the journal Environmental Entomology, found that bees are highly attracted to cannabis plants because they can’t get enough of the sweet pollen. This study supports the results of a similar study conducted at the University of Colorado last year and opens up possibilities for scientists to save depleting bee populations around the world.

The study found that the taller the cannabis plants are and the more area they cover, the more bees will visit the cannabis growing area. Taller plants attract up to 17 times more bees than shorter ones. More interestingly, there are 16 different varieties of the marijuana plant that could support bee populations.

These findings are a little confusing when you consider that cannabis has neither the nectar flavor nor the bright colors that generally attract the attention of bees. However, bees are attracted to male plants, which usually grow next to female flowers. This study is particularly important given that bees are responsible for the cross-pollination of flowers that supports the growth of fruits and vegetables that we need to survive.

Bees designed to pollinate cannabis bring with them enormous industrial potential. Israeli hemp technology company PhytoPharma International has developed a natural cannabinoid-laced honey that is rich in both THC and CBD.

Source: https://academic.oup.com/ee/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ee/nvz141/5634339